Mining operator creates new haven for wildlife at opencast coal site
TRADITIONAL skills are being put to best use to develop an ecological legacy adjacent to UK Coal’s Park Wall North surface mine, near Tow Law, in County Durham.
Two specialists from the mining firm’s rehabilitation team will lay over 400m of hedgerow in a designated ecological enhancement area which will be left for the community as a legacy of the mining project. The work will not only enhance the appearance of the hedges, but also create a natural boundary and habitat for nesting birds, as the laid hedge develops to form a dense, tight, stock-proof boundary.
‘The aim is to reduce the thickness of the hedgerow by cutting away the wood on each side of the stem in line with the course of the hedge,’ explained Ian Dixon, assistant land rehabilitation manager at UK Coal. ‘Each remaining stem is then cut almost through and laid down towards the horizontal, along the length of the hedge and secured.
‘This effectively closes the gaps between the upright stems within the hedge, creating a stronger barrier to stock while at the same time encouraging new growth, which benefits wildlife by providing cover, wildlife corridors and more secure nesting sites.’
Traditional hedge laying became less common after the Second World War when machinery made trimming easier and man-made fencing became more popular. The method is still practiced nationally, however, and many organizations offer courses to train volunteers.
UK Coal, who have recently been renamed Coalfield Resources plc, are proud to keep these traditions alive using specialists from their rehabilitation team who have won numerous awards for the rehabilitation of former surface mines across the country.
